Culture and Review

The aim of a new grassroots alliance, the Scottish Football Supporters Association, is to 'reclaim the game' for ordinary people and communities – to give Scottish football a real 'democratic moment', says Simon Barrow. This is important culturally and politically, not just for those who like sport. Community ownership and engagement is a core part of the new organisation's purpose.

Former German President Richard von Weizsäcker, died on 31 January 2015. He was 94 years old. "He will be remembered for his voice of justice and peace," said the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches.

An important event on (Mis-)representing Cultures and Objects is taking place at the University of Stirling, Scotland, on 16 May 2014. It highlights issues and concerns touching on ethnography, culture and religion in a postcolonial context.

One ForTen is a series of interactive documentary short films about innocence and death row. Directors’ Mark Pizzey and Will Francome visited Edinburgh recently as part of Just Festival to share the real stories of ten exonerees across the United States. Coralie Tapper reports and comments.

If there had been a poll at the conversation on 'A Good Society' in Edinburgh recently, there is no doubt that notions such as equality, justice, hospitality, empathy, sharing and neighbourliness would have been at the heart of people's answers. Simon Barrow listens in on a passionate exchange between people of faith and practical concern.

People in the Edinburgh area should look out for a unique opportunity to taste a process which gives a creative say about Scotland's future next Tuesday, 20th August, in the Thinking Together event put on jointly by So Say Scotland, Just Festival and the Quakers in Scotland.

On 11th September 1973, General Pinochet seized power in a vicious coup that led to the death of democratically elected President Salvadore Allende and resulted in the death and torture of many thousands of people. This is the 'other 9/11', points out Anna Schwoub, previewing the powerful and moving play Tejas Verdes.

What is the relationship between arts in the broadest sense, and change in the broadest sense (social, personal, cultural, political and economic)? Simon Barrow reports on a transformative conversation between practitioners and participants.

It has often been said that there ought to be no such thing as an 'illegal' human being. Yet this language is used frequently and potently in relation to migration. Simon Barrow previews a film that looks at the issue from a human and historical point of view.

Bernadette Meaden reviews the book that many radical Christians have been waiting for. It shows, she says, how spirituality can be a unifying, liberating force, and how looking at the world from a Jesus perspective can be joyful and life-enhancing.

Digital democracy and the huge expansion of social media is transforming political action and diplomacy, says Dr Harry Hagopian, who has been expanding his own involvement in that arena, not least due to his regular podcasts on developments in the Middle East and North Africa. He looks especially at social media's impact in that region.